Virginia Audrey Vaughan

' Virginia Audrey Vaughan was born a farmer's daughter April 19, 1923, in Hays, Kansas, to C. Patrick and Gladys (Hudson) Close, during the darkest days of the dust bowl. She died Saturday, January 23, 2016, in Claremore, Oklahoma, at the age of 92 years. Virginia's family chose land that was later to become the center of the now famous draught stricken area near Hays, Kansas. Her father invested the family saving s and borrowed money for the land and equipment, as did hundreds of other families to cash in on the riches promised raising wheat in these newly developed farm land using the gasoline tractor and plow developed to turn this prairie into wheat fields. Due to the fast expansion of the United States population after the Great War, demand for food grains was high and there was money to be made. When the rains stopped, the family went bankrupt. The banks took the land, stock, and equipment. The struggle of those dark days shaped forever the character of Virginia and her siblings. She left the home place at age 14 and worked her way through school and was a graduate of Lawrence (Kansas) High School. She then attended one semester at Baker University. Moving to Kansas City during World War II she found work at Bendix Corporation where she met and married her first husband. To this union were born her two sons, Jerry and Steven. After 14 years, Virginia found herself alone raising two young boys. Having been out to the work force for many years, she went back to school to learn the hairdressing trade. A few years out of school she started her own shop and put her two boys through high school and college. After another marriage she found herself alone living in a small house in North Kansas City with a small beauty shop in her basement. In 1998 she retired and moved to Tulsa with her oldest son to set up a new household. Having been a strong Christian woman her entire life and desiring companionship of people her own age she moved into the Baptist Village of Owasso at the age of 77. When she was able, Virginia was a faithful member of Christ's Church in Owasso. She enjoyed a variety of pastimes, especially sewing and quilting.Loving family members include;Two sons and daughters-in-law; Jerry and Virginia Vaughan, of Owasso Steven and Lee Vaughan, of Austin, TexasThree grandchildren; Jennifer Crocker and husband Jeff, of Fresno, California Derek Vaughan and wife Audrey, of Kings Beach, California Steven Vaughan, Jr., and wife Michelle, of Round Rock, TexasEight grandchildrenTwo brothers; Frank Close and wife Edna, of Grove, Oklahoma Darrell Close and wife Barbara, of Lone Jack, MissouriOne sister; Beverly Church, of Belton, MissouriShe was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Nile Vaughan, three sisters, Pauline Wanker, Alice Purnell, and Erma Predux, and two brothers, Larry Close and Pat Close. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, February 8, 2016, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso. Funeral service will be held 10:00 Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at the Mowery Funeral Service Chapel in Owasso with Pastor Gary Close officiating. Graveside service will be held 2:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon at the Highland Cemetery in Iola, Kansas. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.www.moweryfs.com'

Virginia Audrey Vaughan

April 19, 1923 - January 23, 2016